BOSTON – Thursday, March 27, 2014 – Today, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) remind motorists again of the anticipated traffic impacts from upcoming weekend lane restrictions on the Massachusetts Turnpike that support MCCA’s project to remove the ceiling of the Prudential Tunnel.

The restrictions will reduce traffic to one lane in each direction on the Massachusetts Turnpike through the Pru Tunnel in Boston on the following weekends beginning at 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday:

Traffic congestion during daylight hours is expected to be significant on the Turnpike in Boston in both directions, as observed during the first weekend of work. Traffic on surrounding roadways in the Back Bay and the Charles River roads will also be impacted, with the possibility of backups on Interstate 93 both north and south of Boston.

Because of this, MCCA and MassDOT advise motorists without a destination in Boston during these weekends to use Interstate 95/Route 128 to reach points south and north of Boston. The I-93 Northbound HOV exit to the Airport (left-hand exit) will be open to all vehicles 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to help alleviate congestion.

Motorists destined for Logan Airport are urged to use the Callahan Tunnel or to approach Logan via Route 16 to Route 1A. Motorists destined for the Turnpike Westbound from East Boston and points north are encouraged to use the Sumner Tunnel to Storrow Drive (AUTOS ONLY due to height restrictions) to join the Turnpike beyond the work zone at the Allston/Brighton Interchange, or travel to the Turnpike via I-95.

Travelers are strongly encouraged to use public transportation, especially during the first weekend of April when the Red Sox will play at home.

Along with delays, motorists entering the work zone, where the speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph, should expect to encounter entrance and exit ramp closures and detours in this area during the project. Further details are available on the project website at www.prutunnelproject.info/.

To maintain two-way traffic along the Turnpike during the project, traffic will be shifted to two contra-flow lanes on the opposite side of the roadway. For example, when I-90 westbound lanes are closed inside the Prudential Tunnel, westbound traffic will be directed to the eastbound side of I-90, where there will be two lanes of bi-directional traffic. During the eastbound closure, there will be two lanes provided on the westbound side of I-90.

In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was created to unify the state’s various transportation agencies. MassDOT now includes the Highway Division, the MBTA and Rail Transit Division, the Aeronautics Division, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. MassDOT is committed to providing a safe and reliable transportation system to all those who travel in the Commonwealth and works to deliver excellent customer service. MassDOT has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to transportation, including the Accelerated Bridge Program, the “Where’s My Bus and Train?” apps and “Fast 14” work. For more information, visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot blog: http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/, or follow MassDOT on twitter at https://twitter.com/MassDOT and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.